AFRICA/NIGERIA - "The current situation in Nigeria is more dangerous than during the civil war, because it involves the religious dimension", said Bishop Kaigama

Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - "The Biafra war had ethnic and political roots, the Boko Haram attacks imply ethnic, social, political, religious and even criminal dimensions. For this reason, the current situation is more dangerous than the time of the Biafra war. The religious dimension belongs to the profound intimacy of people. One is likely to appeal to the irrational instincts of man", says to Fides His Exc. Mgr. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, Archbishop of Jos, commenting on the statements made yesterday, January 8, by President Goodluck Jonathan.
"The situation today is even worse than the civil war", said the Nigerian Head of State, referring to the war for the secession of Biafra (1967-70) which caused one million deaths. "During the Civil War, we knew and could even know on which side the enemy came from... but the challenge we face today is more complicated", said Jonathan, who denounced complicity with members of the Boko Haram sect in the security forces and army.
The recent attacks in different areas in the north of Nigeria, hit the local Christian communities, causing the exodus of Christians. "At the moment I do not think there is a massive movement of Christians from the north, except in areas where several people were killed, in which the frequency of violence was very intense," said Bishop Kaigama. "In these areas the Christians, especially those from the south, as the Ibo people, are deeply anxious and are preparing to return to their home areas".
Archbishop Kaigama is also worried because even the Muslims who live in the south are affected by the climate of violence. "I have just returned from a visit in southern Nigeria. Even there, the Muslims, who are from the north, are deeply concerned and are preparing to return to the north". "It is, in my opinion, a very dangerous development. The government must act decisively to stop the violence and rebuild a climate of mutual trust and safety for every Nigerian who lives in every part of the country", concluded the Archbishop of Jos. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 09/01/2012)